This weekend in Atlanta…

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There is an event this weekend in Atlanta that is for a very good cause.  It is not in Gwinnett, but you may want to venture into the city for this one.  This event is listed on the Gwinnett Pet Watchers events page.  It is the 3rd Annual Ahimsa House Walk, Wag, N’ Run 5K race and 1-mile Fun Run on Saturday, August 23, 2014 in Lenox Park in Brookhaven. The proceeds benefit Ahimsa House, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the links between domestic violence and animal abuse. Anywhere in Georgia and at no charge, Ahimsa House provides emergency pet safe housing, veterinary care, pet-related safety planning, legal advocacy, a 24-hour crisis line, outreach programs, and other services to help the human and animal victims of domestic violence reach safety together. To date, Ahimsa House has provided over 37,000 nights of safe, confidential shelter for pets in need. In 2013, they took in 38% more animals than in 2012, and received 26% more crisis calls than the previous year. Ahimsa House relies on individual donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships. They are run almost entirely on volunteer labor and receive many in-kind donations of goods and services, making us highly cost-effective.  Join their efforts to help people and pets escape domestic violence by participating in Walk, Wag, N’ Run. All proceeds go directly to help Ahimsa House provide these critical services. You can register to run, form a team and help raise donations, become an event sponsor, or just learn more by visiting www.ahimsahouse.org

Life of a Puppy Mill Dog

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You are in the mall and pass by a store with adorable puppy faces in the windows.  You can’t resist walking in and looking at all of the adorable pups, wagging their tails and bodies as you peer in at them.  There are all kinds: yorkies, malteses, havanese, chihuahuas, even english bulldogs, and they are all irresistible!  My best advice to you-walk away!  Behind these puppies precious little faces, are lives of horror and abuse for their mothers and fathers.  They are cage ridden for all of their lives and are used for breeding machines and never see the daylight or get to frolic in the grass, like a normal dog would.  They live in their own feces and stand on wire cages, where their feet are raw, bloody, and deformed from having no bedding to lay upon.  They don’t receive proper grooming, time, or attention and are simply looked at as a dollar sign.  Although their puppies may appear healthy and normal, they grow up to have behavioral and health problems that you will not see until you are attached.  They often loose their teeth at a very young age and spin in circles from being in such close quarters of a cage for too long.  Please choose to adopt from a rescue or buy from a reputable breeder that you research.  Until we stop supporting puppy mills, they will continue to thrive and animals will continue to suffer in that harsh lifestyle.

An Upcoming Event at Lenora Park in Snellville

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This Saturday, August 16th, there will be a pet friendly event in Snellville at Lenora Park in Gwinnett County, Georgia.  Milo’s Kitchen will be sponsoring a truck treat stop with their own food truck to serve your pooches.  We, Gwinnett Pet Watchers, have the details for the event on our website Events page.  The event will be held from 2-4pm and will be giving free samples out of Milo’s Kitchen home style treats to your pups.  All of their products are made in the USA.  They will also have family portraits, personalized give aways, and information on their products.  Lenora Park is located at 4515 Lenora Park Road in Snellville, GA.  The truck will also be at Bark in the Park on Sunday August 17th at 755 Hank Aaron Drive with the Atlanta Braves.  The truck has been touring the United States all summer promoting their treats.  You can follow their schedule www.MKTreattruck.com.

Homemade Dog Toy Ideas

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Tired of buying expensive dog toys that only last your pup for about 30 minutes?  Learn to make better and cheaper dog toys at home that your dog will enjoy even more than store bought ones.  It is important to only use safe materials when making toys.  Items such as buttons and strings can easily come off and be a choking hazard to your pet.  One idea for a toy is a fleece pull toy.  All you need is three long strips of thick fleece.  Tie the strips together at the end in one big knot.  Then braid the strips and tie a knot at the opposite end.  This is a safe and fun toy for your dog.  You can also make pull toys out of old pairs of jean.  Cut the legs off of a pair of jeans and tie some knots in them.  Burn the edges of the jeans to prevent strings from coming off and fraying.  You can also make tennis ball toys.  Take a clean sock and put a tennis ball in it. Make sure it goes all the way to the toe and tie a knot in the middle of the sock.  You can use then end opposite of the ball to sling it across the room and your dogs will love to chase it.  Another idea for a ball toy is to cut a slit into opposite sides of a tennis ball.  Fish a rope through one hole and out the other and tie a knot at each end.  This is another great toy to throw for your pooch.  After making toys for your own pet, consider making some for your local humane society or shelter.  Those pets will appreciate your creations too!

All about Poodles

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Thinking about getting a new dog?  Maybe a poodle is right for you?  Poodles come in three different sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.  There is a size for everyone!  Poodles originated in Germany, contrary to popular belief that they are French.  The breed was designed for water retrieving and the original poodle clip was to enhance the dog’s efficiency for movement in the water.  Poodles are active, alert, and a highly responsive family dog.  They are very intelligent and easily trained and are good with other pets and children.  They do not accept strangers and bark when they see them, so they make excellent guard dogs.  Poodles are hypoallergenic and shed little to no hair.  Their coat requires daily maintenance of brushing and they do need regular grooming.  Poodles are generally a healthy breed and are long living with few health problems.  They are prone to epilepsy, hip dysplasia, thyroid issues, heart problems, and ear infections.  We pet sit for many poodles at Gwinnett Pet Watchers.  I, personally, love walking them.  They are very stoic and graceful when they walk.  They are very protective and will bark and act aloof when approached by someone they do not know.  They come in many different colors and look absolutely beautiful when they are groomed.

Dog Friendly Restaurants in Gwinnett County

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Looking for a place to dine with your dog in Gwinnett County?  Well, there are several places in the area where you can share a meal with your pooch.  If you are looking for a sweet treat, Bruster’s Real ice cream has several locations in the area that offer pet friendly seating.  They also have special “doggy ice cream” treats for you pet.  There are locations in Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Dacula, Grayson, and Suwanee.  If you are in the Snellville area, Panera Bread and Fratelli’s Pizza both offer a dog friendly patio.  The 1910 Public House in Lilburn offers a dog friendly patio with a dog loving staff.  They even have a greyhound as their mascot.  If you are in the Norcross area, Loving Hut, a vegan restaurant, and and Iron Horse Tavern offer pet friendly seating.  The Iron Horse Tavern also sponsors a doggie meet and greet each summer.  Chipotle Mexican Grill in Duluth and Five Guys Burgers in Suwanee both offer pet friendly seating.  Rising Roll Gourmet in Lawrenceville has fast sandwich service and a water bowl on their patio just for your pups.  Ray’s New Pizza in Buford has a fun atmosphere and loves pups on their patio.  With all of these places to choose from, you can dine with your pup every day of the week.  I am quite sure your canine friend would enjoy it just as much as you!

Goughnuts

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Are you looking for a safe and indestructible toy for your rugged dog?  There is a company called Goughnuts that has paired these two important qualities together into toys in all shapes, colors, and sizes.  Each Goughnuts toy has a patent pending visual safety indicator in its design where green means “go” and red means “stop.”  The company recommends getting a toy big enough for your dog’s mouth.  The toys are nearly indestructible, floatable, cleanable, rollable, chewable, and recyclable, according to the company.  Being a pet sitter with Gwinnett Pet Watchers, I cannot tell you how many times we walk in to a home and a dog has shredded and torn up toys all over the house because their parents are not at home.  There is stuffing everywhere and the scariest part is wondering what the dog has actually consumed that could be dangerous for them.  What is great about the Goughnuts toys is that the company offers a guarantee on all of its products.  If your dog chews through the outer layer and into the red “stop” area, you take the toy away, mail it back to the company, and they actually replace it.  That sounds like a deal to me.  I have a boston terrier that chews all of his toys to pieces and I am definitely going to check this product out for him.

Choosing a name for your puppy

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With so many names to choose from, how do you go about choosing a name for your new puppy?  It’s fun and exciting to get a new pet and finding the perfect name can be just as great.  You have to remember that the name you choose also needs to fit the youngster when he grows up into his big dog personality.  Also, keep it simple.  Dogs respond best to short, easy names and commands.  One to two syllables is best.  You may want to spend a few days with your new puppy to see if any ideas pop up about a good name because of his or her personality traits.  You can also consider your pup’s heritage.  If he is an italian greyhound or a german rottweiler or a french mastiff, that may be taken into consideration for thinking of the right name.  There are many themes that can be used, especially if you have more than one pup at a time.  Whatever the name may be, I am sure you will find the perfect one for your beloved pooch!

When you see a dog left in a hot car…

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During the summer months, some people seem to think it is ok to leave their dog in the car when they run in the store, bank, etc.  Even in the shade, the temperature inside a vehicle can climb to a very dangerous level.  Sadly, dogs and children die in hot cars every single year and this is totally preventable.  Some tips for what you can do if you see an animal left inside a vehicle are to approach the owner (if they are around) and let them know that it is simply too hot for anyone to be left in a car.  Animals do not tolerate hot cars any better than people do, contrary to what some people believe.  If the owner is not around, you can go into the store and speak to the manager to possibly make an announcement.  If that fails, the next thing to do would be to call animal control.  In my opinion, I would do that immediately for the dog’s own safety.  I have even heard of people breaking a window if the dog is in immediate distress.  That is a more drastic measure, but when it is a matter of life and death, it is definitely an option.  If you want to take your pet for a ride during the summer months, go to a pet friendly store where the dog can come in with you or use the drive thru.  We at Gwinnett Pet Watchers love to take our dogs for a doggie ice cream in the drive thru and our dogs are equally as happy to receive the gift!

Laser Pointers-A great way to exercise your pets on a rainy day

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Laser pointers can be a great way for dogs and cats to get exercise on days of inclement weather.  Many dogs and cats love to chase the little red dot around the room.  Even the laziest animals will get up for the laser pointer.  There are a few things to remember when using safety practices with the laser around your pets.  First, make sure the laser is not too powerful and can accidentally damage your pet.  According to the FDA, the highest power acceptable to use around animals is 10 milliwatts.  Also, never shine the laser in your pets eyes.  Another idea to think about during play is to use a real toy that can be caught in conjunction with the laser pointer.  Animals may get frustrated because they cannot physically ever catch the laser, so it is important to give them something that is real and they can have as a prize at the end of the game.  Also, you may hide treats in nooks and crannies and end the laser in those locations and your pet ends up with a goodie as well.  Some dogs may get overstimulated and laser pointers may not be such a great idea for them, while other pets may not care a lick in the world about it.  Each pet is different and all you can do is see what your individual animal likes.  As a pet sitter, I have several clients with Gwinnett Pet Watchers that love the laser pointer.  Not only is it entertainment for the pets, but it is fun for us to watch as well!